Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-02
Mbeslins Reeister
PRESTON A FROM
On Minority Rule In EIecting n U. $. SEN

Oh NAthOEhA9 IN ENtctlfS u VS. e
KINGwooD, W. Va, February l.
To he Editor of the Register:
/ desire, with your permission, 10 sub
NIT through the columns of your paper q
few remarks upon the contest for u. 5.
SenatOr now pending before the Legisla,
ture. Unfortunately we OF Preston are
repre- sented by Republicans. Yet we have
/, 300 Democratic voters who vote so from
principle. Principles, not men," is our
motto, and always Democratic principles.
As one of those 1900, permit me to speak.
In this contest We must remember that
West Virginia is a Democratic State, made
so by a majority Of the votes cast. Like
wise, and in the same manner, is the Leg
ilature Democratic. AS "A consequence,
we should have q Democratic US. Senator
who must be chosen by q majority, and
that majority must be Democratic. The
selection of any other than a Democrat
would be either base treachery or political
revolution within the party. The former
Is but to be mentioned to be condemned.
The latter may sometimes be justifiable.
II is an established doctrine of the Demo
cratic party, rs we'll as under our entire
system of government, that in the selection
Of public officers the majority governs.
Anything short of this Is revolution.
The opposition of the minority to acqui-
eSce in the decision of the majority is rev.
dictionary, either justifable or unjustitia-
bic. This is the position of the minority
in the party, in the Legislature. The party
had to select a nominee, the majority to
determine. The majority chose Mr.. Cam
den; the minority refuses to acquiesce, and
is therefore in revolt.
If the aims and methods and purposes
of the majority and Mr.. Camden, or either,
are so corrupt rs to no longer command
the respect or deserve the support Of the
minority. then the attitude OF the latter Is
Unsuitable, and they are still acting with
in the party. Otherwise, they are acting
independently and outside the party.
The question of Mr.. Camden's cOmpe-
teney is not now debatable. The majority
determined that. True, the minority are
still entitled to their opinions as to his com
potency, and may vote rs they plcace, but
ii this is their point, they are acting out
side Of party organization. Neither can
their constituents instruct them to vote
against Mr.. Camden, or any other Demo-
crat who is made the nominee by
= majority, and still act
with the party, other than upon charges
and proof of corruption. No man or set of
men can be m the party and OFT Of IL at the
same time. We have a party of principles.
Organization and rules of government are
"a necessary to its existence as the prin-
i'll, Nb,N .u,x. - lE. r,rrr,.4;N, .,D
and must be fought IN the party. Are
Mr.. Camden and his followers, the maiOri-
ty of the Democrats in the Legislature,
corrupt politicians? We are asking for in
formation. II so it must not be hid away
in the breasts OF Il few. The Democracy of
West Virginia wants To know. IL has Il
right to know. Make the charges, make
them clear and specific, gentlemen of the
minority, and ii they are denied, bring
forth the proof. The burden is upon you.
This is u duty you " the party in the
State. Arguments that Mr.. Camden is
enormously wealthy, 4 railroad king, and
\ stakeholder in the Standard Oil Co., are
~ untenable against him, rs are those in
his favor urging his election because by his
own honest eXertiOnS he rose from poverty
10 a~tiluence, and invests his all in the de-
velOpment Of the State. Admitting the
former, he may he em~inently lit still; and
allowing the latter, he may Yet be unfit
rnr the high office to which he aSpires.
In the present aspect Mr.. Camden and
the majority who are supporting him have
4 strong prima tdcic ease. The minority
must overthrow this by unmiStakable
proof, publicly produced, otherwise their
action is open rebellion and not legitimate
revolution. Out with the facts.
The Republicans have charged us with
corruption heretofore.
Now, are We charged from within our
own ranks? The respectable gentlemen
who are opposing are entitled to II reSpecta-
bile hearing. We are waiting to hear; nay
more, the Democracy dcmaads an eXplana-
tiOn. If this respectable minority claim
to he acting within the party, then they
are responsible to the party for their az
tons. For the sake of such sterling Dem
ocratS, and honorable, able men as know
the gentlemen from Jefferson and Mineral
lu be, and am informed AMI believe the
other gentlemen are, it is To he hoped they
are IN the right.
4 VI II SAN' VA AAN l' ~ " fN'
that they are acting without Just cause.
Give us the facts proven. The REGISTER,
know will publish them. In conclusion
It may Dc in place to add, lest some one
might read incorrectly between the
lines" o fthis article, that the writer, il in
the Legislature would be strongly anti
Camden" in caucus, because Of the prefer
ences, and regrets that the aucus saw lit
to nominate Mr.. Camden. This may, or
may not be news to that gentleman, |
presume he will survive the declaration.
1.-THE writer were acquainted with all those
good qualities Ofthat gentleman, which his
supporters attribute to him land which he
may in tact possess he might change his
mind in regard to his candidacy. But Mr..
Camden is no longer the issue. Shall we
support the nominee, is the question. If
not, u voice from Preston says, why not:
Place no light undera buShel, and disguise